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In this Issue In Other News
MAREC and MI-SBTDC:
For more information, _______ Fundamentals of Starting a Business (GVSU Holland Campus)
September 1:
October 6: _______ UPCOMING EVENTS: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
August 25 & 26, 2011
NABCEP® Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Certification Exam Preparatory Class. Training provided by ONTILITY. Cost $595. Reservation required by August 22, 2011.
September 8, 2011
Michigan Citizen Planner:
September 27, 2011
SBIR/STTR R&D Grant Funding:
September 30, 2011
Muskegon Area Solar Tour
For "save the date" events above, please visit www.gvsu.edu/marec for cost, reservations and other information. Details to follow soon! Pass it on Know anyone who might be interested in our newsletter? Click here to forward this email to up to 5 friends at once.
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Message from the Director
Arn Boezaart, MAREC Director It’s a “hot” summer at MAREC. The temperature outside is near record levels, and the activity inside reflects a pace that matches the season. Our July 25 meeting of the MAREC Advisory Board included a briefing on all those activities by MAREC staff working in collaboration and partnership with a host of local and regional resources and many talented people. One of our summer highlights is the arrival of Dr. Suresh Mani, our new Associate Director of Research and Technology. Suresh brings a refreshing new perspective, much talent and a great sense of humor. Within days of his arrival we joined a Lakeshore Advantage exploratory day trip to Argonne National Laboratories (see photo), met with representatives of West Michigan battery companies, and began a number of conversations with others on how to best advance renewable energy interests and technology in the region. MORE New Associate Director brings energy storage expertise
Dr. Suresh Mani, a chemical engineer with extensive experience in the battery industry, has been appointed as the associate director of research and technology for MAREC. Dr. Mani joined MAREC on July 15 (see photo at right). “Dr. Mani joins us as the advanced energy storage (AES) industry is rapidly developing in West Michigan,” notes Arn Boezaart, director of MAREC. “His technical skills and industry experience with innovative companies will allow MAREC and GVSU to assist with the acceleration of the AES industry throughout the region.” MORE
Lake Michigan Wind Project Moving Toward Launch Date
The AXYS WindSentinel research buoy shown under construction is scheduled to arrive in Muskegon late September. For more photos and other information about the Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Assessment Project, click here.
MAREC Assists Community Action Agencies with Sustainable Energy Implementation
Two Michigan community action agencies have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive nearly $7 million in Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) Grants. The SERC grant recipients are Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership, Inc. (MOCAP), headquartered in Muskegon, and Oakland-Livingston Human Services Agency, located in Pontiac. MAREC will assist the agencies with the development of programs for the installation of renewable energy technologies for income-eligible households and residential care shelters. The SERC program will bring the benefit of renewable energy to groups who historically have not benefitted from green technology. MORE Wind Education Outreach Project — Making the Case
Wind can contribute to Michigan’s renewable energy goals, reduce pollution, and enhance economic development. The Great Lakes surrounding Michigan have outstanding offshore wind resources, yet technical and social barriers must be addressed if this energy resource is to be tapped to power Michigan communities and industries. Through a grant provided by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA, formerly DELEG), a project is underway to help the public examine how offshore wind energy generation could enhance the Great Lakes region and the quality of life in our coastal communities. The GVSU project partners include... MORE Business Incubation Program Available to Assist Entrepreneurs
Developing forward-looking business or technology opportunities can be challenging, whether for established companies or for entrepreneurs with a dream, a garage, and a small savings account. Thanks to new funding resources, MAREC has increased its incubator activities and stepped up its Business and Technology Incubator Program (B-TIP) efforts. MAREC seeks to assist entrepreneurs at all stages of the business development cycle. To help them gain the knowledge, expertise and strategies needed for the marketplace, MAREC offers:
INCUBATOR PROFILE: Michigan PACE Energy Program, L3C
Michigan PACE Energy Program, L3C, a business start-up founded by Gregory Truex, CPA, is ready to serve Michigan municipalities and businesses interested in using a new state regulation available to communities to help advance the use of renewable energy technology — the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) law. Michigan PACE (MPEP), a MAREC incubator client, provides technical, educational and financial training services that will benefit users of the new statute including municipalities, local developers, and financial institutions with emphasis on renewable energy finance. “The PACE law has lowered some cost and risk barriers... MORE SAVE THE DATES! Business Development, Education, and Outreach Opportunities
Our fall events calendar for business training, education, and outreach is shaping up! See the left column of this e-newsletter, or go to the MAREC Events Calendar, which is regularly updated with events and details as they are confirmed. Go ahead, enjoy your summer on the Michigan beaches, but don't forget to check back with MAREC and join us for informative and rewarding events. Students Showcase Alternative Energy at RE-Fair
On May 23, MAREC held its first Renewable Energy Science Fair (RE-Fair) for junior and senior high school students. Two dozen students showed a total of 14 projects, shared their ideas with community members and judges, and had the chance to win cash prizes. Students presented projects that demonstrated an innovation in RE technology or in a sustainability application, such as an energy efficiency concept. In addition, each project included a business component to show how the technology could be applied. “The projects were incredible,” said Shannon Morrow from the Michigan Bureau of Energy Systems, one of the judges. MORE Closing the Loop and Creating New Opportunity
Dean H. James Williams of GVSU’s Seidman College of Business (third from right) visited MAREC on July 5 to meet with MAREC Advisory Board members and MI-SBTDC consultants. The group discussed ways in which Seidman and MAREC can collaborate on joint opportunities and shared interests. To learn more about how MAREC connects GVSU resources with the community, contact Arn Boezaart at boezaara@gvsu.edu or 616-331-6901. Sign up for the MAREC Minute!
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